Christopher Malone's creations are an exciting hybrid of realistic dolls with amazing facial expressions of polymer clay and fantastical creatures with wild dress and embellishment. They range in size from 14-inch "magic hands" to 7 1/2-foot stilt dancers and are simply spectacular.

What a surprise to come across this Ohio-born artist who's living in Washington, D.C. Thanks to Kathleen Anderson for sharing the link.

I'm looking forward to a vacation with polymer friends who are wonderful artists and some of whom produce works only for trade, for gifts and for the sheer enjoyment. So I doubt you'll find Colorado's Carol Simmons with a big web site any time soon but you shouldn't miss her work.

These two beads (photos of front and back) set on my window sill and are as wonderful to touch as they are to look at. I can't bring myself to drill holes in them.

Carol's an organizer, a mover and shaker and former president of the national guild. A Monday tip of the hat to those who quietly keep our craft moving forward.

Whenever I'm feeling boring and uninspired (or if it's Friday), I head to France for a pick-me-up. Their design flare is like a refreshing splash of water on my face.

Take a look at the work of Sandrine Gazzera from Toulouse, France. (Cendrillon, the name of the site, translates to Cinderella.) The site is fun to mouse around in and the work is playful. The link comes to us courtesy of Louise Gagné.

Carol and Jean-Pierre Hsu of Berkeley Springs, Virginia (a couple of hours away from ShrineMont where the national guild holds its annual retreat) work in aluminum but as you can see their designs are particularly relevant right now.

I'm thinking of making myself a similar pair of earrings out of polymer clay. Their designs are instructional (yes, by all means, vote) and their colors inspirational. Must make these soon.

The pictures from Sandy Camp 2006, annual retreat of the San Diego PC Guild, offer quick visual tutorials and glimpses of new polymer clay work. They also put faces with the names we've become accustomed to reading about.